Sheet handling apparatus for rolling mills



sept., 29, 1942. F. H, FANMNG 2,297,184

SHEET HANDLING APPARATUS FOR ROLLING MILLS Filed Sept. 22, 1959 l 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fredjannirgg @if Sept. 29, 1942. F. H. FANNING SHEET HANDLING APPARATUS FOR ROLLING MILLS 5 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Sept. 22, 1939 Sept. 29, 1942. F. H. FANNING 2,297,184

SHEET HANDLING APPARATUS FOR ROLLING MILLS Filed sept. 22, 1939 5 sheets-sheet 5 l@ YF Q1 @l w Si if @f o o i 'f :l i t; l m l l l h' l l E I z l l i n #E :I 49,

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SHEET HANDLING APPARATUS FOR ROLLING MILLS Filed Sept. 22, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR FredHFann/ing Jf ,MYM@

Sept. 29, 1942. F. H. FANNING 2,297,184

SHEET HANDLING APPARATUS FOR ROLLING MILLS Filed sept. 22, "i959 5 sheets-sheet 5 INVENTOR u Patented Sept. 29, 1942 ROLLING Fred H. Fanning, Pittsburgh, Pa..`assignor to Blaw-Knox Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of New Jersey Application September 22, 1939, Serial No. 296,058

Claims. (Cl. Sil- 45) This invention relates to sheet handling apparatus for rolling mills. It relates more particularly to sheet feeding and receiving mecha.- nism for passing sheets back and forth as they are reduced in a rolling mill.

'Ihe invention will be described and illustrated in connection with Athe handling yof sheets as they are being reduced in a typical 3-high rolling mill. The sheets or sheet bars are rst fed through the mill from the rollers side between the middle roll and the bottom roll and are then returned from the catchers side of the mill between the middle roll and the top roll and this process is repeated with appropriate intermediate adjustment of the roll passes, ordinarily accompanied by doubling of the sheets, until the sheet, pair or pack has been reduced to the desired extent. It is customary to employ feed tables and catching tables to handle the work as it is passed back and forth through the mill during reduction. Such tables ordinarily comprise endless work handling conveyors, the feed table feeding the sheets through the mill from the rollers side between the middle and bottom rolls and the catching table receiving the sheets as delivered from the mill at the catchers side, elevating the same and feeding the same back to the rollers side between the middle and top rolls, whereupon they are received upon the feed table and fed again between the middle and bottom rolls.

Heretofore it has been customary to mount sheet handling tables of the type above referred to in operating position adjacent a mill where they are bolted down or otherwise xedly positioned, the endless conveyor having fixed mount-l ing relatively to the base of the table. When it is necessary to have access to the mill rolls, as in making roll changes, the tables have had to be unbolted or otherwise released from their xed operating position and moved bodily away from the mill and after the roll change or other work on the mill has been completed the tables have had to be moved back into operating position and again fastened in place. Such a condition is, of course, highly undesirable, as much time and labor is required in unfastening the tables, moving them away from the mill, moving them back toward the mill and fastening them in position again. However, prior to the present invention this has always been done so far as I am aware.

I obviate the disadavantages of the prior practice in1the art as referred to above by providing sheet handling tables which are permanently mounted adjacent the mill and which while so mounted can easily be maniplated to clear the mill for roll changes, etc. I provide for moving the sheet handling portion of a table relatively to the base thereof to withdraw the sheet handling portion away from the mill without disturbing the mounting of the table. I also provide for driving the conveyor in such manner that the driving means is not disturbed or disconnected upon such withdrawal of the sheet handling portion of the table. l

Other details, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description of a present preferred embodiment thereof proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown a present preferred embodiment of the invention, in which Figure 1 is an elevational view of a feed table; t 'aigure 2 is an elevational view of a catching Figure 3 is a plan view of the feed table shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the catching table 'shown in Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional view taken on the line V-V of Figure 2, parts being omitted for the sake of clarity.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown diagrammatically a 3-high rolling mill comprising` a middle roll 2, a bottom roll 3 and a top roll l. This is a typical 3-high mill with the middle roll of less diameter than the top and bottom rolls and the rolls may be mounted in any suitable housings provided with screwdowns as well known in the art. As the present invention has nothing to do with the particular mounting for the rolls the roll housings are omitted from the drawings so that the apparatus which is the subject of the invention may be the more clearly illustrated. The mill floor is designated at 5, the roll housings being mounted in a pit 6 and the feed table 'l and the catching ltable 8 being mounted respectively on bases 9 and I0 below the floor level. The feed table 'I and the catching table 8 are permanently mounted at opposite sides of the mill. Their relative positions in elevation may be seen at a glance by positioning the sheet containing Figure l of the drawings to the right of the sheet containing Figure 2. Likewise thetables may be seen in their relative positions in plan by positioning the sheet containing Figure 3 of the drawings to the right of the sheet containing Figure 4. l

Referring flrst to the feed table 1, it comprises a pair of spaced links Il both pivotally mounted on a shaft I2 rotatably carried in bearings I3 xed to the base 9. A shaft I4 extends through openings in the upper ends of the links II and also pivotally supports the right-hand end of a deck I5 viewing Figures l and 3. The deck I5 has adjustable side guides I6 between which the sheets pass. 'I'he sheets are advanced on the deck I5 toward the mill by a pair of endless chains I1. These chains are shown in Figure 3 and the upper reaches thereof run in channels IIia each containing a replaceable Wear resistant liner lib. In Figure 1 the chains I1 are not drawn in detail but their path of movement is indicated by a chain line similarly numbered. Each of the -chains I 1 passes about a. driving sprocket I8 fixed to the shaft I2, an idler sprocket I9 carried by the shaft I4, an idler sprocket carried by a shaft 2l at the left-hand end of the deck I5 viewing Figures 1 and 3, and idler sprockets 22, 23 and 24 carried beneath the deck as shown in Figure 1. Take-up mechanism for each of the chains I1 comprises a take-up sprocket 25 carried by a stud shaft 26 at the extremity of an arm 21 fixed to a shaft 28 carried in bearing brackets 45 connected respectively with the links II. Also fixed to the shaft 28 is a pair of arms 29 to the extremity of each of which is pivoted at 30 a rod 3| carrying a collar 32 against which bears a coil spring 33. Each rod 3I is slidably mounted in a bracket 33a carried by one of the links II and against which the corresponding spring 33 bears. Thus through its spring 33, rod 3|, arm 29, shaft 28, arm 21 and take-up sprocket each of the chains I1 is maintained desirably taut.

As will be seen from the above description, the links II may pivot about the axis of the shaft I2 and the deck I5 may pivot about the axis of the shaft I4 and such pivotal movement, if reasonably limited in extent, will not change the paths of the chains I1 more than can be compensated for by the take-up mechanism above described. Moreover, such pivotal movement of the links II and/or the deck I5can be effected without removing the table 1 from its base 3 and Without disconnecting the driving means for the chains. Such driving means comprises a motor 34 having a shaft 35 which drives the shaft I2 through suitable driving connections including speed reducing mechanism 36. Regardless of the d position of the links I I and the deck I5 the chains I1 may be driven through the shaft I2 whose axis is fixed.

The mounting of the links II and the deck I5 as above described is utilized to permit movement of the deck away from the mill to clear the mill for roll changes and other work thereon. The deck is in part supported by an adjustable link 31 pivoted to the deck at 38 and pivoted at 39 to a bracket 40 fixedly carried by the base 9. The adjustable link 31 comprises opposed upper and lower link portions whose inner ends are threaded as shown at 4I, such threaded ends cooperating with a worm operated turnbuckle 42 having an operating hand wheel 43. By means of the adjustable link 31 whose length may be altered by turning the hand wheel 43 the elevation of the left-hand end of the deck I5 may be adjusted as desired. A similar adjustable link 44 extends between and is pivotally connected with the shaft 28 and a bracket 46 xedly carried by the base 9.

When the feed table 1 is in operation the links II and the deck I5 remain in fixed position with extremity of the deck viewing Figures 1 and 3 in the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 1. The table as shown in solid lines in Figures 1 and 3 is in the retracted or inoperative position where it clears the mill so that the mill rolls may be changed. The deck is moved toward and away from the mill simply by turning the hand wheel 48 which operates the worm operated turnbuckle changing the length of the adjustable link 44. Upon change in length of the adjustable link 44 the links II and 31 are caused to pivot about their respective fixed extremities I2 and 39. As above stated, the elevation of the left-hand extremity of the deck I5 is determined by the length of the adjustable link 31.

Thus the deck of the table 1 may at will be moved toward and away from the mill without disconnecting the table from its base and without disturbing the drive for the chains I1. The deck carries pivotally at its right-hand end a frame 49 carrying rollers 50 over which the sheets or sheet bars pass onto the upper reaches of the chains I1 when work is to be commenced thereupon. The frame 49 is normally in the lower or dotted position viewing Figure 1 but is raised to the solid line position when the deck is retracted from the mill so as to clear other mechanism which may be disposed immediately to the right of the feed table 1.

The structure of the feed table is such that it may be driven by a permanently mounted motor disposed below the floor level of the mill and connected directly with the driving shaft I2 without the use of any intermediate driving chains such as have been employed in sheet handling tables heretofore used.

The catching table 8 is similar to the'feed table 1. It comprises a pair of spaced links II both pivotally mounted on a shaft I2 rotatably carried in bearings I3' xed to the base I0. A shaft I4' extends through openings in the upper ends of the links II' and also pivotally supports the left-hand end of a deck I5 viewing Figures 2 and 4. The deck I5' has adjustable side guides I6 between which the sheets pass. The sheets are received upon the deck I5' as they pass through the mill between the middle roll 2 and the roller 41 carried at the extreme left-hand 75 the bottom roll 3 and the right-hand end of the deck I5' is then raised to the position shown in Figures 2 and 4 to deliver the sheets .back between the middle roll 2 and the top roll 4, as will presently be described. A pair of endless chains I1' similar to the chains I1 of the feed table are provided. These chains are shown in Figures 4 and 5 and the upper reaches thereof run in channels I1a each containing a replaceable wear resistant liner I1b. In Figure 2 the chains I1' are not drawn in detail but their path of movement is indicated by a chain line similarly numbered. Each of the chains I1 passes about.a driving sprocket I8 fixed to the shaft I2', an idler sprocket I8' carried by the shaft I4', an idler sprocket 20 carried by a shaft 2I at the right-hand end of the deck I5' viewing Figures 2 and 4, and idler sprockets 22', 23 and 24' carried beneath the deck as shown in Figure 2.

Take-up mechanism for each of the chains I1' comprises a take-up sprocket 25 carried by a stub shaft 26 at the extremity of an arm 21 fixed to a shaft 28' carried in bearing brackets 45 connected respectively with the links II. Also fixed to the shaft 28 is a pair of arms 29 to the extremity of each of which is pivoted at 30' a rod 3|' carrying a collar 32' against which bears a coil spring 33. Each rod 3|' is slidably mounted in a bracket b carried by one of the links Il' and against which the corresponding spring 33' bears. Thus through its spring 33', rod 3i'. arm 2l', shaft 28', arm 21' and take-up sprocket 25 each of the chains Il' is maintained desirably taut. The driving means for the chains i1' comprises a motor 3l' having a shaft 35' which drives the shaft l2' through suitable driving connections including speedreducing mechanism 38'.

The deck I' is operated in its up and down pivotal oscillatory movement aboutV the axis of the shaft i4' when the table l is in use arid is partially supported by an adjustable link 31' pivoted to the deck at Il' and pivoted at 39' to a crank 5i carriedI by a vshaft 52. The shaft 52' by a pair of spring-balancing assemblies 55, one

at each side of the deck. Each of these assemblies' has upper and lower telescoping members 56 and 51, respectively, between which operates a compression spring 5B. The member 55 is pivoted to the deck i5' at 59 and the member' 51 is pivoted to the base l0 at 60.V The purpose of the spring-balancing assemblies 55 is to reduce the weight which is alternately lifted and lowered by the crank 5| and its associated mechanism. thereby reducing the power required for lifting the deck and overcoming in part the tendency of the weight of the deck to accelerate the drive while lowering.

When the catching table 5 is in operation the links Il' remain in'fixed position, the deck being oscillated by the crank 5i as above explained. When a sheet is delivered between the rolls 2 and 3 to the catchers side of themill the deck i5' is in its lower position and receives the sheet, the chains I1' then moving in the direction to carry the sheet or sheets away from the reducing reaches of the chains l1' are moving from right tolleft viewing Figures 2 and 4. When the upper reaches of the chains I1' are moving from left to right viewing these figures the clutch 54 simply idles and the pinch rolls 62 continue by reason of their inertia to rotate idly in the same direction as that in which they are driven when the upper reaches of the chains l1' are moving from right to left. The pinch rolls are preferably journaled in anti-friction bearings, as, for example, ball or roller bearings, so that there will be very little friction tending to bring them to a stop when idling. Also the structure oi the pinch roll system is such that the momentum of the rotating parts is great enough to keep the pinch rolls moving until the succeeding application of power thereto in normal operation of the mill. 'I'his saves the power necessary to start up the pinch rolls from rest or to continuously drive the same and also saves wear and tear on the pinch roll system, including particularly the sprocket chain, due to suddenV and repeated application of power to start the same from rest. For example, the pinch rolls may be of such construction as to themselves act somewhat in the nature of flywheels or separate ilywheels may be employed on the roll shafts.

. 'I'he structure described obviates using a separate rolls. The crank 5| is then rotated through 180 l to raise the deck to its raised position as shown in Figure 2 when the chains Il' are reversed in direction to feed the sheet back to the roller's side of the mill between the rolls 2 and l. 'I'he crank 5| is then rotated through another 180 to bring the deck to its lower position and the cycle is repeated.

The rolling operations are thus conducted for the desired number of passes between the working rolls, thefinal pass delivering finished sheets or bars t'o the vcatching table, this time to be discharged and piled instead of being returned through the mill. When work is thus discharged after being rolled it passes along the deck I5' from right to left viewing Figures2 and 4 and over idler rollers 6| and is` ejected by driven pinch rolls 52. Heretofore it has been customary for pinch rolls used for discharging the work to be continuously driven by a separate motor. In my apparatus, however, when the upper reaches of the chains I1' are moving toward the leftA viewing Figures 2 ,and 4 the pinch rolls 52 are driven to eject the work toward the left viewing these figures, this being accomplished by a chain and sprocket drive 53 (Figure 4) from the shaft il'. An overrunning clutch 5I is provided for driving the pinch rolls 52 only when the upper motor for operating the pinch rolls and thus further reduces the lcost of the apparatus and the cost of maintenance and operation thereof.

While I have shown and described a present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the same is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. Sheet handling apparatus for rolling mills comprising a support, an endless conveyor carried by the support and having a generally horizontally extending sheet supporting reach and another reach extendinggenerally downwardly therefrom, a base fixed relatively to the mill floor, driving means for the conveyor mounted on said base. said driving means including a ilxedly positioned driving shaft and a driving member carried by said shaft and engaging the generally downwardly extending reach of the conveyor, and adjustable length means extending between the base and a portion of the support for generally horizontally adjusting the position of the generally horizontally extending reach of the conveyor.

2. SheetI handling apparatus for rolling mills comprising a base fixed relatively to the mill floor. a support having a pivotal connection with the base, an endless conveyor having a generally horizontally extending sheet supporting reach carried by the support, driving means for the conveyor including a driving shaft coaxial with said pivotal connection and connections therefrom to the conveyor and normally stationary adjustable length means extending between the base and a portion of the support for generally horizontally adjusting the position of the sheet supporting reach of the conveyor.

3. A rolling mill feed table comprising in combination a movable chain conveyor having a sub- 'stantially horizontally extending sheet supporting reachhaving one end adjacent the mill rolls, a xed base, driving gear xedly mounted on the fixed base including a sprocket engaging an extension of the conveyor chain below the table, a substantially vertical supporting link of fixed length pivoted to the table near the end away from the mili rolls and pivotally connected to the iixed base about the axis of said sprocket. an inclined link adjustable in length pivotally connected to the conveyor and to said base whereby the conveyor may be shifted longitudinally and means supporting from said xed base the end oi' the conveyor adjacent the mill rolls.

4. Sheet handling apparatus for rolling mills comprising a. base xed relatively to the mill iloor. a support having a pivotal connection with the base and extending generally toward the mill rolls, an endless conveyor having a generally horirontally extending sheet supporting reach carried by the support, driving means for the con. veyor including a driving shaft coaxial with said pivotal connection and connections therefrom to the conveyor, means extending between the base and part of the support near the mill rolls for partially supporting the support and normally stationary adjustable length means extending between the base and a portion o! the support for generally horizontally adjusting the position of the sheet supporting reach oi the conveyor.

5. Sheet handling apparatus for rolling mills comprising a sheet supporting conveyor having a generally horizontally extending reach one end of which is adapted to be positioned adjacent the mill rolls and a second reach extending generally downwardly from the nrst mentioned reach, a fixed base, rotary driving means mounted on the base and engaging said second mentioned reach of the conveyor whereby to drive the conveyor, a generally vertically extending conveyor supporting link pivoted to the conveyor adjacent the end of the rst mentioned reach thereof disposed away from the mill rolls and pivoted to the base about the axis of the driving means, means extending between the conveyor and the base for shifting the first mentioned reach o! the conveyor generally longitudinally and means also extending between the conveyor and the base for supporting the end of the iirst mentioned reach 20 of the conveyor adjacent the mill rolls.

FRED H. FANNING. 

